How to Show CPU, RAM, Disk and Network Usage on Stream Deck Keys (Windows)

This guide explains what each key shows and what the numbers mean, how to set the keys up step by step, and what to check if a number looks different from what you expected.

Who this is for

You play or stream in full screen and want to see whether the PC is near its limit without leaving the game.
You run long jobs, such as exports, builds or downloads, and want to keep an eye on the load and the network.
You want to notice early when a drive is getting full.

What each key shows

Key	What it shows	Press the key to	Warning colors
CPU	Total CPU usage in %, with a 60-second graph	-	Yellow at 70%, red at 90%
Memory	Percent of memory in use and GB used of your total, with a 60-second graph	-	Yellow at 70%, red at 90%
Disk	How full a drive is and the space left	Go to the next drive (C:, D:, ...)	Yellow at 80%, red at 95%
Network	Download or upload speed of your physical adapters (Ethernet, Wi-Fi), with a graph	Switch between download and upload	-

Each key can have its own look: Classic, Neon, Ring, Bars or Solid. Ring and Bars swap the CPU and memory graph for a gauge. A simple row to start with is CPU, Memory, Disk and Network side by side.

It is light on resources: all keys share one timer, and measuring stops when no System Monitor key is shown. Everything is read on your PC; there is no account, no online service and no data collection.

What the numbers mean

CPU: why it can read lower than Task Manager

Windows has more than one way to express how busy the processor is. System Monitor for Windows shows "% Processor Time", the share of time the processor is busy. Task Manager on Windows 11 uses a different measure, "Processor Utility", which can read somewhat higher, especially when the CPU is boosting. So if the key shows a lower figure than Task Manager, both are correct; they are measuring in different ways.

Memory: percent and GB

The Memory key shows both the percentage in use and the GB used out of your total, so you can tell at a glance how much room is left.

Network: physical adapters only

The Network key counts traffic through your physical network adapters, Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Traffic that stays inside your PC is not counted, so copying files between your own drives does not move the number. What you see is the traffic in and out through those adapters.

Step by step: put CPU and memory on your Stream Deck

Install System Monitor for Windows from the Elgato Marketplace. It runs on Windows 10 or later with the Stream Deck app 6.9 or later.
In the Stream Deck app, find System Monitor for Windows in the action list and drag CPU, Memory, Disk or Network onto a key.
The key starts showing a live number within a few seconds.
To change how a key looks, select it in the Stream Deck app and choose a Look: Classic, Neon, Ring, Bars or Solid.
Press a Disk key to move to the next drive, and a Network key to switch between download and upload.

If a number looks wrong

The Network key shows --: network speed is read through Windows PowerShell, which is included with Windows. If PowerShell is blocked or removed on your PC (for example by a company policy), the Network key shows -- and the other keys keep working.
CPU is lower than in Task Manager: see "What the numbers mean" above. The key shows "% Processor Time"; Task Manager on Windows 11 shows "Processor Utility".
Network speed does not change when you copy files on your own PC: only physical adapters (Ethernet and Wi-Fi) are counted.
A key is still in the Classic look: keys set up before version 1.1 stay on Classic until you choose another look.

Frequently asked questions

How do I show CPU and RAM usage on my Stream Deck?

Install System Monitor for Windows and drag the CPU and Memory actions onto two keys. CPU shows total usage in % and Memory shows percent in use and GB used, each with a 60-second graph, updated every 2 seconds.

Can it show the space left on more than one drive?

Yes. A Disk key shows how full a drive is and the space left; press it to move to the next drive (C:, D:, ...).

Why is the CPU number lower than in Task Manager?

The plugin shows Windows "% Processor Time". Task Manager on Windows 11 uses a different measure ("Processor Utility"), which can read higher, especially when the CPU is boosting.

Does it slow my PC down?

It is light on resources: all keys share one timer, and measuring stops when no System Monitor key is shown.

Does it send my data anywhere?

No. It runs entirely on your PC, with no account, no online service, no data collection and no telemetry.